Where do we start.....
Booked the Chic 2 bedroom apartment (as advertised for up to x5 people). £278 for x4 nights.
Tried making contact via the provided WhatsApp address x5 days pre arrival to see what time we could arrive and to see if we could possibly check in/ leave luggage earlier than the stated 2pm check in.
We were not informed until the day that we needed to send reservation details & documents via a range of social media apps so they could find our booking, I did this and I was then added to a WhatsApp group consisting of x8 unknown nameless people!!!! With tel codes from both Thailand & China (?????) We were concerned to say the least! Anyway we were then informed by reply from 1 of the group that this was not possible, check in was 2pm and no earlier.
Arrived at the apartment block at 2pm and proceeded (as instructed) down into the very hot and humid underground car park via the vehicle ramps where we should meet our host, no host! Called and was told to again send reservation and documents and photos of guests via social media, I refused to do this again and eventually a very nice man arrived, checked confirmation and took us to our apartment. We were instructed not contact the reception or staff on site and to ONLY access & exit the apartment block via the underground car park, there are no safe pedestrian routes only vehicle lanes through barriers, why? Is this company renting in a block without resident authorisation? Very strange?
Arrived at apartment approximately 2.20pm to find that the cleaners were still in the apartment and instructed to go and wait elsewhere for 15 mins while they finished, we went downstairs and waited approximately 30 mins, upon our return the cleaners were STILL cleaning! We refused to wait any longer and placed our luggage inside and left to go and eat.
When we returned approximately 3hrs later the cleaners were gone but..... the washing machine was mid cycle and the balcony (for sitting?) was full with clothes hanging & drying!
There was x1 toilet roll in each bathroom and 0 coat hangers in the large wardrobes (really helpful thank you) 😐
We changed and went back out to explore for the evening, the area adjacent to the block has nothing of interest, no restaurants, no bars etc unless you walk up to the main road without pedestrian paths dodging mopeds, taxis, lorries and tuks for about 15 mins. It’s basically full of large apartment blocks, a recycling plant and a laundry.
At the top road there is thankfully a BTS station (which we ended up using every evening to get somewhere else to eat & drink) oh be warned if you decide to get a cab or tuk back to the apartment they have never heard of the road or block and each time they had to look it up on maps.
While out we received a WhatsApp saying the cleaners need to get back into the apartment to collect the washing??!! We said we are not there but 1 guest was asleep inside if they needed to knock loudly, they then asked if we could assist and hang the washing out for them, no! The washing on the balcony was still there when we left 4 days later, and not once did a cleaner come to do anything.
That evening we became separated as people do have different likes and plans, due to the other guests mobile phone battery dying we could not contact each other, I ended up locked out of the apartment all night as we had only been given 1 KEY to share, without the fob key you could not even get into the building let alone the lift which also needed the fob key to activate.
I tried calling the numerous numbers on the WhatsApp group list and received no response or assistance, the reception wanted nothing to do with the situation, I finally received a response the next morning 5.5 hours later saying “Can I help you”
We asked for another key, And was told only if we pay another 2,000bt deposit (£50) I refused!
We decided to not let this ruin our holiday and made sure everybody had to go out and return at all times together! Crazy
The final morning arrived and I messaged to ask what we do with the extremely important key fob, should we leave it at reception? the reply was no, we were to leave it in the apartment, take a photo of the key fob in the apartment at time of leaving and send via WhatsApp to the host, I asked how I would exit the building as it was only myself left at this time and the key fob is needed to activate the lift to exit the building as instructed via the hot & humid, full of cleaners smoking underground car park, I was instructed to put my luggage in the way of the lift doors then run (I assume) the key fob back to apartment (and take photo!!), close door then run back to the blocked lift door to leave, I tried this.....
Upon re entering the now rather unhappy lift I pressed the basement button the doors closed but the lift stopped at level 2 upon which the lift now needed activating again with the key fob no longer in my possession???? I had to exit the lift with my luggage and wander level 2 trying to find someone to help me, I eventually found a cleaner who escorted me back to the lift and used her key fob to allow me to continue my journey to the underground car Park to leave!
So..... Although the apartment was very comfortable and well laid out with nice large en-suite bathrooms, WiFi included, We would NEVER recommend this to other travellers or visitors to Bangkok.
We previously stayed in a